2. Learning objectives
• At the end of the session the student will be
able to:
– Identify components of research report
– Conduct research
– Organize results of a research
– Write research report
– Present research report results
3. Research report writing format
General Directions
– Page limits must be strictly observed
– Additional information can be provided in annexes as
necessary
– Final submission must be approved by the advisor(s)
– Font-Arial/Times New Roman
– Font size-12
– Line spacing -1.5
– Margins:
Left -1.25 inch
Right -1.00 inch
4. Research report writing format cont…
University …..
TITLE:
NAME OF THE STUDENT:
NAME OF ADVISOR(S):
A RESEARCH REPORT SUBMITTED TO >>>>>>>> HAWASSA
CAMPUS IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS
FOR BACHLOR OF SCIENCE DEGREE IN NURSING
TIME
PLACE
5. Research report writing format cont…
University …..
Title:
By: Name of student with address
Advisor
1. __________________ _________________
__________________ _______________
• Examiner
6. Sections of research report
Title
Acknowledgement
Abstract
Introduction
Literature review
Objectives
Methods
Results
Discussion
Conclusion &
recommendations
Reference
Annex
7. Research report writing format cont…
Acknowledgement
------------------------------------------------------------
Acronyms
8. Research report writing format cont…
Table of contents
-----------------------------------------------------------------
List of tables
-----------------------------------------------------------------
List of figurers
----------------------------------------------------------------
List of Annexes
9. Research report writing format cont…
Abstract
(Not more than 350 words)
Introduction
(Maximum 3pages)
Subdivision of the introduction section might not
be required but the concepts of background,
statement of the problem, and justification of
the study need to be reflected.
10. Research report writing format
cont…
• Introduction
–Background (1 page)
–Statement of the problem (1 page)
–Justification (1/2 page)
11. Research report writing format cont…
• Literature review
– (maximum of 6 pages)
– May have sub-sections
12. Research report writing format cont…
Objectives
(Maximum one page)
– General objective
– Specific objectives
13. Research report writing format cont…
Methods
(Maximum 3 pages)
This section can be divided into:
Study design
Study area
Study population
Sample size & sampling procedures
Variables
Operational definitions
Data collection procedures (instrument, personnel, data quality control)
Data analysis
Ethical considerations
(Maximum half (page)
14. Research report writing format cont…
Results
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Discussion
(Maximum 3 pages)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Conclusion
(Maximum one page)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recommendation
(Maximum one page)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
References
(Use Vancouver Style)
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
• Annexes
15. Results
• Purpose → to describe the results of data
analysis that are relevant to the study
• Systematic presentation of your findings in
relation to the research objective is crucial
16. Presentation of findings
• Description of findings should offer a good
combination or triangulation of data from
qualitative & quantitative components of the
study
17. Sequence of presentation of findings
• The 1st section is usually description of the
study population
• Provide information on the problem you
studied (size, distribution, characteristics)
• In analytic study, the degree to which different
independent variables influence the problem
18. Use of tables & figures
Tables & figures need numbers & clear title
Include only those tables & figures that present main
findings & need more elaborate discussion in the text
Use tables to highlight individual values
Use figures to highlight trends/relationships
Check the numbers; provide consistent row & column
summations
In tables, keep lines to a minimum; avoid vertical lines
Use footnotes to clarify points of potential ambiguity
19. Text
• Describe what you found, not what you did
• Present results in a logical sequence
• Consider sub-sections
• Less is often better ( a table or figure is worth
thousand words)
• Make sure all numbers in text are consistent with
tables/figures
21. Guidelines for constructing the
discussion
• Findings can be discussed by objective or cluster
of related variables or themes, which should lead
to conclusion & possible recommendation
• Focus on the main results related to the specific
objectives
• Emphasize on what is new or different
• Restate the main finding
• Interpret the result in context of literature
• State the limitations of the study
• State conclusions & recommendations
22. Conclusions & recommendations
• Conclusions should be short, as they have
been elaborately discussed in the discussion
section
• Recommendations are usually placed in
roughly the same sequence as the conclusion
23. Conclusions & recommendations
cont…
• Recommendations may at the same time be
summarized according to the groups towards
which they are directed
Example
– Policy makers
– Managers at district or lower level
– Staff who could implement the activities
– The community at large
24. References
• Check the style of reference writing which is
recommended by the institution/journal
where you want to submit your manuscript
• Hawassa College of Health Science
recommends the Vancouver style.
